Time for Spring things and March Madness [Commentary]

Today is sort of a bittersweet day for me for as over the past four years, I've been on a golf trip with friends to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

That trip, a trip that started today, is still on for 15 or so of the other guys, but myself and a couple others took the year off. We had some very good and memorable times over those four years, but more will have to wait until next year, at least for me.

I took a quick look at the weather forecast for Myrtle Beach and I hope it's not as accurate as what it displayed. Some showers for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now, I've been there when the forecast has looked pretty gloomy, but we were able to get out and play with little or no rain. One round though, two years ago, was played on a very wet course. I actually played well, making a name for myself as a "Mudder."

Anyway, I'll miss the trip, the golf and the friends this year, but I hope for safe travel and playable weather for my friends.

So, today is also the first day of Spring and tomorrow begins the first play date for our high school athletes as the Spring season gets underway. Plenty of baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis and track and field action will be on tap over the next 7-8 weeks to get all the regular season contests completed.

Then over a 2-3 week period of time each sport will have its playoffs, leading to the prize all are seeking, a state title.

Let's hope for a fairly dry month of April. You know, last year, when my daughter was a senior playing softball at Havre de Grace, they did not suffer one rainout. That's pretty much unbelievable, but true, from my memory. The JV team had one game canceled, but imagine this, it wasn't weather related.

So, enjoy the Spring sports season and all it has to offer. If high school sports is not your thing, then just enjoy Spring.

OK, it's March and we all know that what means. It's time for Madness, college basketball style.

Have you filled out your bracket yet? I mean brackets.

Honestly, I have not. This is a real dilemma for me this year as I have been a Louisville Cardinals fan for a number of years now and by all accounts, it's the Cardinals who are the team to beat this year. That scares me.

A quick scan of the bracket and I see no reason why Louisville can't get to the Elite Eight in the Midwest region. There, though is that ultimate pest, the hated Duke Blue Devils. Wasn't that awesome last week, watching Maryland knock them out of the ACC Tournament? Did you see Mike Krzyzewski's face? That's what I call priceless.

OK, back to Louisville and Duke. I think Louisville will get it done and reach the Final Four. Who will join them?

In the South I'm going to say Georgetown, while in the West, let's go with the Ohio State Buckeyes. That leaves the East, and I'll go with Miami.

Louisville beats Miami and Ohio State beats Georgetown in the semifinals. Louisville then wins the national championship over Ohio State, 68-60. Standby next week for a new bracket.